Penmaker to Blancpain

Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary celebration, which took place on October 13, 2014 at the brand’s impressive factory in Geneva, was a firework of artistic expression.

Not only was this true for the many timepieces introduced in honor of the anniversary, but also for the event itself, which was uncharacteristically colorful.

The explosion of color served an important purpose: it heralds a new era at Patek Philippe, an era that begins with the dawn of a new, yet familiar, future.

Naturally, today all eyes are on the big introductions: the Grandmaster Chime, the Chiming Jump Hour, the World Time Moon, and the Multi-Scale Chronographs. These are all extremely interesting pieces from both a collector’s standpoint and from the way they combine functionality with an artistic expression of heritage. We will certainly come back to some of these in the not-too-distant future.

What I’d like to focus on today is one of the special timepieces likely to be at least a little overlooked among all of the grandiose new timepieces: from the unique oeuvres that Patek Philippe calls its Rare Handcrafts, I’d like to single out the piece called Dawn on the Lake.

Dawn on the Lake by Anita Porchet for Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary

Anita Porchet

More soberly known as Reference 993/100G-001, this exquisite pocket watch encircled by gold, diamonds and enamel was on display in the little chateau behind the main factory that Patek Philippe utilizes to entertain its important guests. Next to the watch was its creator, Anita Porchet.

Porchet is already known to many as the premier enameler in the world of watches. A freelance artist, she has nonetheless worked with Patek Philippe for decades, creating colorful shells for Dome Clocks and intriguing little works of miniature enamel art that pose as dials for unique timepieces.

Master enameler Anita Porchet explaining Dawn on the Lake to Hubert de Haro of Portugal’s Espiral do Tempo

For the celebratory Dawn on the Lake, Porchet put her artistic ability and stamina to a serious test. The dial on the front comprises five separate miniature enamel paintings. A sixth larger one is found on the outside of the back cover of the hunter case.

And the circle posing as the frame for the watch – simultaneously symbolizing infinity and time – as well as its base, are embellished with pailloné enamel leaves made from flecks of real silver. Some of the enamel is fashioned as ivy, interspersed with diamonds, which hangs “over” the main piece of art.

Dawn on the Lake by Anita Porchet for Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary

As a master enameler, Porchet’s role usually starts and finishes with the dial of a watch. What makes Dawn on the Lake even more special is the fact it is Porchet’s first oeuvre in which she has had artistic responsibility for the whole ensemble including support and stand.

Dawn on the Lake by Anita Porchet for Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary

Five miniature masters

While the “large” painting on the back (and large is relative here) depicts a scene on Lake Geneva, where Patek Philippe president Thierry Stern grew up and spent many happy hours sailing, the front is a masterpiece in persistence.

All of the scenes in Dawn on the Lake are from paintings in the Stern family collection.

Dawn on the Lake by Anita Porchet for Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary

The five paintings that seamlessly run into each other – making it slightly difficult if you do not know what you are looking at to discern one from the other – are inspired by works of five different artists of the same epoch: Paul Klee, Alexandre Perrier, Edouard Valent, Walter Mafli, and Ferdinand Hodler. All five of the miniaturized scenes depict nature, while a loupe held to the Klee section reveals that Porchet even emulated the tiny squares that Klee’s works comprised (as opposed to dots like in pointilism).

Dawn on the Lake by Anita Porchet for Patek Philippe’s 175th anniversary

The world in miniature

The work that Porchet and other artisans displayed in conjunction with the anniversary that evening is nothing short of incredible: a fitting tribute to not only 175 years of a masterful Geneva horological tradition, but also to the fourth generation of Sterns to lead this company.

[…] more on the 175th anniversary see The Secret For Eternal Youth: Patek Philippe Is 175 Years Young, Dawn On The Lake: Celebrating Patek Philippe’s Grandiose 175th Anniversary With Art And Collaborat…, and Patek Philippe’s 175th Anniversary Is A Swirl Of (Grandmaster) Flash And […]

[…] To learn more about one of her most recent collaborations with Patek Philippe, and a personal favorite of mine, please see Dawn On The Lake: Celebrating Patek Philippe’s Grandiose 175th Anniversary With Art And Collaborat…. […]

[…] All in all, 40 exquisite and unique works of ticking art belonging to the “Rare Handcrafts” genre were introduced in honor of the anniversary. To see another very special one, please read Dawn On The Lake: Celebrating Patek Philippe’s Grandiose 175th Anniversary With Art And Collab…. […]

[…] The anniversary celebration included an exhibition of the company’s “rare handcrafts” accompanied by many unique and one-off pieces on display along with their creators’ demonstrations. We will come back to these in a future post. To read about one of them, Dawn on the Lake, a unique pocket watch featuring rare handcrafts created by Anita Porchet in honor of the anniversary please read Dawn On The Lake: Celebrating Patek Philippe’s Grandiose 175th Anniversary With Art And Collaborat…. […]